With the aim of making Punjab’s cities cleaner, greener and healthier, the Bhagwant Mann Government today launched the ‘Mission Clean Punjab’ campaign across urban areas of the state. Under the 10-day special cleanliness drive, being conducted from August 29 to September 7, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, mayors, municipal councillors and senior officials are taking to the ground every morning to personally oversee cleanliness arrangements and accelerate sanitation work.
The campaign, centred around the vision of ‘Clean Punjab, Proud Punjab’, will focus particularly on identifying and eliminating Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs), locations where garbage is repeatedly dumped. Special teams will undertake intensive cleaning of these spots, while steps will also be taken to ensure that garbage does not accumulate again.
*Harjot Singh Bains Leads Cleanliness Drive in Nangal*
Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains led the campaign in Nangal in Sri Anandpur Sahib, personally participating in cleanliness activities and interacting with sanitation workers and local residents.
During this, the Local Government Minister said the Mission Clean Punjab campaign reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring clean and healthy cities for its people. “Cleanliness cannot be the responsibility of sanitation workers alone and residents, shopkeepers and local communities should actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean,” he added.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “The campaign would not be limited to one-time cleaning, but would focus on creating a sustainable cleanliness system, with regular monitoring and action against recurring garbage points.” He also urged citizens to cooperate with the administration and avoid dumping waste in public places.
*Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan Honours Sanitation Workers in Kotkapura*
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also initiated the campaign in Kotkapura, where the Speaker honoured sanitation workers for their contribution towards keeping the city clean and subsequently joined them in cleaning activities. He said, “Under Mission Clean Punjab, secondary waste collection centres and garbage dump points across Kotkapura and other parts of Faridkot district would undergo intensive cleaning. The campaign is a comprehensive effort involving not just sanitation workers but also district administrations, municipal councils and officials of all concerned departments.”
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said, “Lists of sanitation workers deployed in different wards and the mates/supervisors working with them have been prepared and would be made available on the government portal to ensure greater transparency and accountability.”
Appealing to residents to actively participate in the cleanliness movement, Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the cooperation of people is essential for ensuring that the results of the campaign are sustained even after its completion.
*Ministers and MLAs Join Campaign Across Punjab*
The statewide campaign witnessed active participation by ministers and elected representatives in several cities, with public representatives taking part in cleanliness activities and overseeing sanitation arrangements on the ground.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh led the campaign in Patiala by personally undertaking cleanliness work at Thapar Chowk. Dr. Balbir Singh also highlighted the connection between cleanliness and public health, stressing that accumulated garbage and unhygienic surroundings increase the risk of several diseases.
Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat participated in the cleanliness drive near Nakodar Chowk in Jalandhar, while Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO led a campaign in Jandiala Guru, accompanied by the municipal council president, councillors and sanitation workers. Harbhajan Singh ETO appealed to residents and shopkeepers to consider maintaining cleanliness a shared civic responsibility.
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond launched the cleanliness drive from the Khanna Municipal Council office, while MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa initiated the campaign in Baltana, Zirakpur, with municipal councillors, ward in-charges and officials. The campaign was carried forward with the message of making Zirakpur clean and garbage-free.
In Amritsar, MLA Dr. Ajay Gupta and Mayor Jatinder Pal Singh Moti Bhatia led the cleanliness campaign. In Fatehgarh Sahib, MLA Advocate Lakhbir Singh Rai led the campaign initiated by the Sirhind Municipal Council.
MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj participated in cleanliness activities in Sangrur, covering the route from Khanda Chowk through Haripura to Poonia Tower, and also joined the campaign at Tur Pati Park in Bhawanigarh.
In Moga, MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora and Deputy Commissioner Sagar Setia led the cleanliness drive. MLA Rupinder Singh Happy and SDM Deepjot Kaur oversaw the campaign in Bassi Pathana, while MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal monitored cleanliness activities in Phagwara.
In Ajnala, MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal led the cleanliness drive, which was carried out with the participation of the SDM, EO and AAP volunteers. Garbage heaps were removed from various locations during the drive.
*People Can Report Garbage Spots Through M-Seva App*
The Punjab Government has also sought active public participation in Mission Clean Punjab. Citizens will be able to send photographs of garbage and unhygienic spots in their areas through the M-Seva app, enabling the administration to identify problem locations and take timely action.
The government has appealed to people not to dump waste in public places and to cooperate with municipal bodies in maintaining cleanliness around their homes and commercial establishments.
The Mission Clean Punjab campaign aims not merely to clean cities for 10 days, but to strengthen the urban sanitation system and develop a sustained culture of cleanliness across Punjab.
